Burial-casket



(No Model.)-

J. -B. ANDERSON.

. BURIAL GASKET.

No. 563,118. Patented June 30,1896.

am/M.

ANDREW B GRAHAM PHOTO-maWASmNGmN DC UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. ANDERSON, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

BURlAL-CASKET.

SPECIFICATION forming'part of Letters Patent No. 563,118, dated June 30, 1896.

Application filed January 30, 1896 Serial No. 577,483. (No model.)

To CLZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES B. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and usef Lil Improvements in Burial-Caskets, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to construct a cover for burial-caskets made of sections hinged together extending in the lengthwise direction of the casket, the outside sections having a detachable connection with the easket and stop-hinges forming the hinge connection between the two outside sections and center sections.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a face representation of a portion of the caskettop in which the cover is shown in its closed position. Fig. 2 is a similar view in which the cover is folded to the left-hand side. Fig. 3 shows the cover folded to the righthand side. Fig. l is a transverse section on dotted line a, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on dotted line b, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a transverse section on dotted line (I, Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a transverse section on dotted c, Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is an enlarged section on dotted line a, Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is an enlarged section on dotted line b, Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is an isometrical representation of one form of stophinge.

The top 1 of the casket may be of any suitable outline, and when made for an adult it has an opening 2 at the head end. In this instance a broader molding 3 surrounds the opening 2 and extends the length of the casket.

The cover consists of two center sections 4 and 5 and two wings 6 and 7. The center sections are connected by hinges 8, and the wings are connected to their respective center sections by hinges 9. The hinges 9 are what are known as stop-hinges, an enlarged view being shown at Fig. 10. The object of this construction of hinges is to prevent the parts connected thereby from opening beyond a specified distance. Each of the wings has a detachable connection with the casket-top, and consists of hooks 10, depending from the under face of the wings, and enter catches 11 in the casket-top, a hook being secured to each end of the wing and located near its ment by the hooks 10 and latches 12. At funerals it often happens that the casket must be placed in a certain position in order that room may be had, and those viewing the remains must pass on a certain side, and with other constructions of caskets,where the cover is divided, an obstruction to the view is had, but with my construction, should it be found that the remains must be viewed from the right-hand side of the casket, the latch of the wing of that side is released from its connection with the casket-top, which will permit that wing to move on its hinged connection with its center section until the hooks of that wing are released from engagement with the casket-top. This wing, with the two center sections of the cover, is turned toward the lefthand side of the casket. The connection of the center section 4 with the wing 6 will act as the pivotpoint. The parts are folded over the lefthand side of the casket as far as the stophinge 9, fforming the connection between the wing 6, and the center section 4 will allow, when it will appear as shown at Figs. 2 and 7, leaving the right-hand side of the casket free from obstruction; and when it is desired to turn the cover to the left-hand side the wing 6 will be detached and the wing 7 will act as the pivot-point, when the cover will appear as shown at Figs. 3 and (3. By this construction the cover can be turned to either side, leaving one side clear, as shown in the drawings.

By means of the hook and latch of the section acting as a pivot upon which the remaining portion of the cover turns, that wing will be held firmly in connection with the caskettop.

In achilds casket the cover may extend the full length of the casket and operate the same as on a large casket.

Then the cover is open, the under face of either center section will form a suitable place to which may be attached a plate bearing a suitable inscription.

I do not cleim a casket-cover consisting of a series of strips of thin material having one side secured to the top and its opposite side left free, so that it may be lifted up and turned or rolled over while being opened, as shown in the Bennett patent, No. 427,2l8; neither do I claim a casket-cover having two sections permanently hinged to the top, and a center section capable of being detachably connected to either of the hinged sections, as shown in patent to Herrick, No. 437,492; nor do I claim a casket-cover composed of two main sections, each composed of strips connected together, each section having a detachable connection with the top, as shown in patent to Hoffman, No. 533,913.

I claim as my invention 1. In a burial-casket, the combination of a top having an opening, a cover therefor composed of four sections extending lengthwise of the casket, and hinged together, the outside sections having a detachable connection with the casket.

2. In a burial-casket, the combination of a top having an opening, a cover therefor composed of four sections extendingv lengthwise of the casket, and hinged together, the outside sections having a detachable connection with the casket, and the connection between the two center sections and the two outside sections being by stop-hinges whereby their opening movement is limited.

3. In a burial-casket, the combination of a top, having an opening, a cover therefor composed of sections hinged together, the two outside sections having a detachable connection with the top along its side adjacent the opening, said connection consisting of a latch and a series of curved hooks, whereby said outside sections may be disconnected from their connection with the top by turning upon their hinged connection with the center sec tion.

JAMES B. ANDERSON.

Witnesses:

A. O. IBEHEL, E. BEHEL. 

